For those of you who might not know, I am leaving tomorrow (May 17th) for India! I am going with Mission Waco, I local non-profit here in Waco. There will be a team of 5 of us going and we will be traveling all over the country working and serving in a variety of ways. After about a month, the group will part ways, and I will be staying in India until Aug 2nd on my own. I have lots of options of what I will be doing during that time, but I haven't made definitive plans yet...I will be keep you all posted about that part of the adventure!
This trip is full of unknowns for me. But I could not be more excited. Despite not knowing exactly what I will be doing this summer, I have come to the place where I just know that God cannot use this summer for bad; Although it might be a little scary, I know that God will use me in the ways He needs and I can't wait to see what that looks like.
If I have learned one this past year (for those of you who know me, you know I have learned more ha) it would be that we don't grow unless we struggle. This trip will be full of struggles, and also full of growth. I mean lets be honest, I am going to be in a country, more or less by myself, for 3 months... and I don't even know where I will be most of the time! Am I crazy?...maybe a little, but I just know that the times where everything that is familiar and comfortable to us is taken away are the times we truly have to rely on God and we begin see Him in a brand new way.
I can't wait to see God this Summer. Through my fears, tears, and lots of sweat, I have no doubt that God will open up some unexpected doors this summer, ones that will lead me to places I have never been, or maybe even never imagined were there.
I won't lie, I'm scared. But more importantly, I'm ready. I'm just a kid who wants to learn to love people. I can only imagine the ways God is going to break and bless this crazy college graduate ready to "save the world" ha.
More to come! See ya in India!! You know I'll be dancing to Jai Ho right off the plane! :)
Love God, Love People
Matt-
I have you on my blog list! Can't wait to follow you!
ReplyDeleteyou're off to a great adventure! can't wait to read about it!
ReplyDeleteMatt, YOU ARE IN INDIA NOW! I read up on your trip, and it is intense! Thankfully, your dark tan will help protect you from the dangerously scorching sun. Somehow my skin didn't work like that when I was there. :) Another advantage you have is that you get to wear relatively universal clothing and won't have to struggle with a finicky sari. I wanted to wear one every day, but I still haven't figured out how to wrap one and A) Be able to move my legs, B) Keep it on.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, here is my advice to you:
1. Don't take Minocycline for Malaria
2. The people of India are very kind and hospitable--you will love them!
3. Take care of yourself
4. Eat without utensils (the thumb is the secret weapon--use it to scoop the food off your fingers)
5. Stop worrying about traffic laws
6. Blow India a kiss for me
I don't have much advice, so thankfully you are well prepared. Mostly, I am thankful that you put your trust in the Lord.
I can't wait to hear an update! Do you have Skype?
Your Graduation Buddy,
Julia
Dear Matthew, We are so proud of you & excited for you! May the JOY & LOVE of the Lord continue to be your strength ... may you know the promise of His real presence in new & beautiful ways. We love you & have you & your team in our daily prayers. LOVE, MOM & DAD
ReplyDeleteMatty! Saying goodbye to you yesterday was one of the hardest things I've had to do in a long time. Thank you for always being there with open arms! Now it's time to spend that love a far and I know that the Lord will use you in amazing ways this summer. I am praying for you daily and can't wait to read all about your adventures! Love always, B!
ReplyDeleteMatty! Saying goodbye to you yesterday was one of the hardest things I've had to do in a long time. Thank you for always being there with open arms! Now it's time to spend that love a far and I know that the Lord will use you in amazing ways this summer. I am praying for you daily and can't wait to read all about your adventures! Love always, B!
ReplyDeleteA great start to your journey and your blog, Matt!
ReplyDeleteThe way you talk about what's going to happen to you, you make me want to go too.
Mazal tov on your graduation and high standing.
God bless you, dear young man.
Keep those posts coming.
"All journeys have a secret destination of which the traveler is unaware." (Martin Buber)
"Strange travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God." (Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.)
"Ah, blessed adventure!" (St. John of the Cross)
We are praying for you Matthew! May God bless you and all those that walk in your path on your journey of the India walkways. Through your blog enteries, I sense the presences of the Lord. He is definitely with you.
ReplyDeleteBe Stong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Blessings,
The Sanders Family